A.M. No. MTJ-23-019 - Richard Caringal vs. Judge Cornelio A. Sy, Presiding Judge, Municipal Trial Court, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Richard Caringal (Complainant) lent ₱500,000 to Marcelo Claveria and Delia Culla, secured by promissory note and “Kasunduan” dated December 15, 2015.
Upon default, Caringal obtained a barangay certificate and filed for writ of execution in MTC San Jose on July 7, 2017; Judge Cornelio A. Sy dismissed the petition on November 13, 2018 citing doubtful veracity of barangay documents.
On appeal, RTC Branch 46 reversed on January 20, 2020, remanding for issuance of writ of execution in accordance with the parties’ “PAGHAHARAP” (amicable settlement) dated November 11, 2016.

Judge Sy granted the ex-parte motion for writ of execution on May 20, 2021, but the Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) initially refused to receive it; it was finally accepted on June 10, 2021, yet remained unimplemented for four months.
To expedite satisfaction, Judge Sy scheduled a pre-execution conference on October 18, 2021; Caringal was notified but absent, while counsel Atty. Darwin Luminate attended.
During the conference, Claveria and Culla offered ₱500,000 in cash (the principal amount); Atty. Luminate accepted it as full satisfaction, despite no express written authority from Caringal.
Judge Sy issued an order the same day declaring Civil Case No. 1671 closed and terminated. Caringal later protested, denied authorizing the compromise, and filed an administrative complaint against Judge Sy.

Judicial Integrity Board – Office of the Executive Director (JIB-OED) Report (June 20, 2023): Recommended dismissal of complaint, finding judges may presume counsel’s authority and no evidence of improper influence.
JIB Report (August 4, 2023): Re-docketed as regular administrative matter, found Judge Sy guilty of gross ignorance of law for “reducing” judgment by omitting interest, recommended ₱200,000 fine.
Supreme Court Resolution (August 22, 2023): Re-docketed the complaint against Judge Sy as a regular administrative case.

Whether Judge Sy committed gross misconduct, gross incompetence, or gross ignorance of the law by allowing Atty. Luminate to accept ₱500,000 as full satisfaction without a special power of attorney and prematurely closing the case.
Whether scheduling a pre-execution conference and recognizing counsel’s authority to compromise execution is within judicial discretion and consistent with procedural rules.
Whether the Clerk of Court and Sheriff of the OCC, MTC San Jose, are administratively liable for inefficiency and gross neglect in failing to implement the writ of execution.